McQuaid's Corner: The power of intuition

Ever had a "gut feeling" about something important and it turned out to be true? This sensory quality is known as intuition. It is often dismissed as coincidence or blind luck but practicing intuition may be lifesaving.

To help clarify the power of intuition, consider this story from the tsunami in Asia in 2005. A full three hours before the waves hit the shore, elephants fled to higher ground. After the elephants, other animals followed intuitively.

Humans, on the other hand, responded differently. Some even went down to the beach to have a closer look. They were never to be seen again. A small number of people did notice the early animal migration and were curious. Only a few people felt in their gut something was amiss, and followed the animals to higher ground. These fortunate survivors just had a feeling that they should move.

Other animal examples of intuition include zebras and seals. Zebras know where the lions are. As a group, they can sense there is a lion on the prowl. Most zebras evade attack successfully based on their intuition. Seals can also sense and evade the great white. Those zebras and seals that respond to their intuition, live another day. Those that do not respond to their intuition become lunch.

Another interesting example is violent crime. Most victims of violent crime sense that something is wrong before they encounter the criminal. A retrospective study conducted by the FBI found that people have intuition that something is threatening before the actual attack.

The FBI published recommendations for the public urging people to pay attention to their gut feelings and if they did not feel safe in any situation, to honor that intuition and respond accordingly. The conclusion to the research demonstrated that most people can avoid a violent encounter by responding to their intuition. If you feel unsafe, chances are you are right. Move fast like a zebra and get out of the situation.

One of my favorite authors and mentors is the late R. Buckminster Fuller, he was affectionately referred to as Bucky. Fuller was an inventor, author, scientist and philosopher. He wrote extensively about human nature and specifically the role mankind plays in the universe. He wrote that 99 percent of the universe is invisible.

Most of the universe is energy that humans cannot see. The sense of intuition is also energy that is felt, but unseen. If you do not heed your intuition it may cost you as these examples clarify. Fuller said, "When humans cannot see something approaching to destroy them, they do not get out of the way."

The only protection we have from what we cannot see is intuition.

I do not intend to generate fear from this article. On the contrary, intuition is a skill to help avoid fear. Listen to that inner voice because it is designed by nature to protect you, just like it can tell an elephant to head for high ground. In this discussion we don't have to be afraid of lightning, to avoid being struck.

Remember, 99 percent of the universe is invisible. It is what you can't see that can be friend or foe. Listen to intuition for protection and guidence. My intention for you is to always know when to move to higher ground.

Matthew McQuaid, DPM is a board certified foot surgeon practicing in Lakeport. He has a particular interest in Mind/Body medicine and its impact on healing. He is an award winning author and teacher. Please share this article with a friend. For more information please call 707-263-3727 and visit www.drmcquaid.com.